PASSAIC COUNTY COUNSEL

Administration Building
401 Grand Street
Paterson NJ 07505

County Counsel:

William J. Pascrell, III
(973) 881-4477
Fax: (973) 881-4072

Deputy County Counsel:

Matthew Malfa
(973) 225-3813

The County Counsel is the chief legal advisor to county government. The County Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice, representation and assistance to the Board of Chosen Freeholders and all county departments as well as all constitutional officers including the Sheriff, County Clerk, and Surrogate. The County Counsel oversees all litigation in which the county is party and reviews all contracts and resolutions adopted by the county.

The County Counsel is also the head of the Department of Law. Due to departmental consolidations in recent years, the Department of Law now also includes the Division of Consumer Protection, which includes the Office of Weights and Measures, an inspection and enforcement program. The Consumer Protection Department investigates and mediates complaints by consumers against businesses, which have shown an apparent pattern of fraudulent dealings with the public. The Department works under the Consumer Fraud Act and its specific regulations. All consumer complaints must be made in writing. These programs are vital to protecting the welfare of the consumers of this county. The Consumer Protection Department is located at 1310 Route 23 North, Wayne NJ 07470 and may be reached at 305-5881, Fax: 628-1796.

In addition, the Department of Law now includes the County Adjuster, who oversees commitment proceedings for mentally incompetent persons, and serves as the ex-officio member of the County Board of Social Services and the Camp Hope Commission, which operates programs for underprivileged children and senior citizens throughout the county.